Electric Work Vehicle Battery-Motor Support Frame Simplification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric work vehicles have complex structures for supporting motors, which can be improved for simplification and ease of maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The motor is suspended by a support frame that also supports the battery, with the support frame having a lattice shape and openings for visual inspection, allowing the motor to be coupled without protruding upward and facilitating maintenance of components like the inverter and floor sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If multiple separate frames are used to support the motor and battery, then the support structure is more stable, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport structure stabilityVSAvoidframe structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the motor support frame and battery support frame into a single integrated support frame. The support frame includes a battery receiving portion for supporting the battery and a motor support portion for supporting the motor, eliminating the need for separate frames while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support frame serves multiple functions: it supports the battery through the battery receiving portion, supports the motor through the motor support portion, and provides structural integration for both components. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate structural elements needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If the coupling member protrudes upward from the support frame, then the motor coupling is secure, but it interferes with the battery placement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor coupling strengthVSAvoidbattery placement accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling member is designed to protrude downward from the support frame rather than upward, creating an asymmetric configuration. This downward protrusion allows the motor to be securely coupled while preventing interference with the battery that needs to be placed on top of the support frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Strength

If the support frame is solid without openings, then the structural strength is higher, but maintenance accessibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport frame strengthVSAvoidcomponent maintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The support frame is segmented with openings provided in its structure. These openings allow workers to access and maintain components such as the motor and inverter without completely disassembling the support frame, while the overall structural integrity is maintained through the segmented design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4644147A1Electric work vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4644147A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4644147A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4644147A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electric work vehicle includes: a main frame 10 supporting a travel device; and a battery 13. The electric work vehicle includes a support frame 34 that is attached to the main frame 10 and on which the battery 13 is placed to be supported by the main frame 10. The electric work vehicle includes a motor 15 configured to operate with power supplied from the battery 13 and drive the travel device, and the motor 15 is suspended by the support frame 34.